Portugal: Train Accident Leaves Several Injured and Dead
Express TV: Mustafa Filali
At least three people have died and 20 others were injured after the Gloria Funicular derailed and crashed in the capital, Lisbon, authorities announced last night.
The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority reported on its official website that the incident, which occurred at approximately 6:04 PM local time on the “Calçada da Glória” slope, involved around 20 people on board, including those with serious and minor injuries, as well as individuals trapped inside the carriage.
The train, resembling a tram, is one of the main tourist transport systems in the city, shuttling passengers up and down the hillside between Rossio Square and the famous Bairro Alto district.
Footage from the accident site showed the train completely destroyed, as emergency teams worked to rescue passengers from under the debris.
Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident in a message published on the official presidential website. He also expressed hope that authorities would determine the causes of the accident as soon as possible.
The authority highlighted that 62 rescue team members and 22 vehicles were deployed to the scene.
The Gloria Funicular, operated by the public transport company Carris, connects Rossio Square to the São Pedro de Alcântara Garden in the Bairro Alto neighborhood, covering a distance of approximately 265 meters, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Portuguese capital.
